But yesterday we heard a screeching noise, and I asked my daughter if she knew if the neighbors had gotten a parrot, and she said no (she goes over there to play with the kid on occasion). This screeching noise goes on and on all afternoon and i pay no more attention. I mean, it's Brazil, someone on the block has a parrot, obviously. In a few months the enviro police will be here to give them a huge ticket and send them to jail, that's how it works here.

But the neighbor comes over later to ask if i can do her a favor, and mentions in passing that she's "arranged for a boyfriend" for her tortoise, and they've been getting it on all afternoon. She mentions the screaming noises they both make. (just like a parrot) She then tells me that they're resting, as a modern couple, far away from each other, but that when they strap it on again, she'll come and get me. I have since been hiding with the doors closed and the lights off.